The Science of Side Projects: How Creative Hobbies Improve Our Performance at Everything

It’s often a new blog or a Tumblr or a book or a newsletter. Sometimes I try to design WordPress themes. Other times I try photography. This ethos of new projects and new improvements runs throughout our Buffer team. We love to find ways to grow, excel, and improve through side projects and hobbies.

I have yet to create the next Uber or Gmail—million-dollar and million-user enterprises that began as side projects.

The good news: You don’t have to create a million-dollar company to get your time’s worth from a side project or creative hobby.

The psychology of side projects

When Google began its famous 20 percent rule (employees could spend 20 percent of their time exploring fun, passionate side projects), the result was a more productive, more creative 80 percent. Side projects boosted work performance.

There’s been research to back up this phenomenon.

San Francisco State psychology professor Dr. Kevin Eschleman and his colleagues measured the effect of creative hobbies on over 400 employees. In two separate groups—one rated by coworkers and one self-rated—those with a creative hobby were more likely to be helpful, collaborative, and creative with their job performance.

As an added bonus, outside of work those with hobbies felt more relaxed and in control. Said Eschleman:

The results indicate that organizations may benefit from encouraging employees to consider creative activities in their efforts to recover from work.

Creative activities are likely to provide valuable experiences of mastery and control, but may also provide employees experiences of discovery that uniquely influence performance-related outcomes.

From a psychological perspective, it would be better if people engaged in activities in which they sought challenges and tried to match them with their skills. Evidently this also applies to work: Optimal experiences correlate positively with mental health. However, in our society leisure is used as an “escape” from work. “Escapism” in this respect means that people do not seek meaningful leisure activities for their own growth and development, but instead resort to passive activities to escape from everyday strains and problems. Such behavior is frequently associated with a passive lifestyle and boredom, which in turn might feed into apathy and depression.

Boston College sociology professor Dr. Juliet Schor calls this phenomenon “work-spend-work-spend mentality.” We work hard so we can spend more, and the more we spend, the harder we work.

Side projects and creative hobbies help stop this cycle and nurture a more creative and fulfilling version of down time.

Low-risk, low-pressure, and love: The 3 rules of side projects

It probably goes without saying that side projects differ from work projects. But how, exactly? Building a website can be a work project for you and a side project for me. Playing piano is a career for some folks; it’s a creative hobby (a bit of a slow burner, at that) for me.

In a post on Medium, Hiut Denim Co explains its thought process behind side projects, which have been hugely impactful on the careers of Hiut’s cofounders. They believe side projects follow three rules.

1. They don’t have to provide you with a living. You can still eat if they fail.

2. They don’t have a deadline. And as there is no time pressure, you don’t revert to your usual formula. You try new things. You experiment. You take risks.

3. This is a Labor of Love. You provide the ‘Labor’. And you provide the ‘Love’. So when you spend time on it, it is because you really want to. That keeps you coming back and pushing it on.

Low-risk, low-pressure, and love. You’d be hard-pressed to find these three concepts all in the same place in the business world. Many work projects lack two—if not all three–of these elements. High-risk, high-pressure assignments represent the flip side of creative pursuits. So without side projects, things get unbalanced rather quickly.

Along with providing work balance, side projects and hobbies help push us to improve in a number of key areas. Here’s how the Busy Building Things blog describes it:

It’s also important to be our own client sometimes, and have side projects that push new skills, flex our creative muscles, and give us testing grounds for new and innovative ideas.

A side project, a creative hobby, or both?

When we’re talking about side projects and creative hobbies, are we talking about two of the same things? Not precisely. Here’s the best way I’ve found to think of the distinction between side projects and creative hobbies:

A side project has an output, a finished product (eventually).

A creative hobby is a long-term interest.

Here’s an example: Musicians take on side projects quite often. These projects can be the result of experimenting with new creative hobbies—new instruments, new sounds, new technology. In this way, the hobby leads to the project.

I’ve found creative writing to be an incredibly enjoyable hobby. Someday, I’ll turn this hobby into a side project of writing a book.

You can choose both projects and hobbies. You can do both at the same time. And you can pick absolutely anything that interests you and that you want to learn more about.

Your side project or hobby doesn’t need to be something you’re already good at. You can think outside the box with what you choose—anything that interests you, fulfills you, excites you. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Learn to draw

Learn to code

Sell something online

Write a book

Start a blog

Take lessons

Audit a class

Volunteer

Which ideas could you add to this list?

How to keep a side project going and a creative hobby active

Of course, knowing the advantages and methods for starting a side project or hobby is one thing. There’s also the challenge of overcoming the obstacles that get in the way. Here are some helpful tips for creating a project or hobby that is reinvigorating and sustainable.

Find the time by setting a meaningful goal. One of the biggest obstacles with these creative pursuits is finding the time to do them. I like the way that Rachel Andrew of A List Apart puts it: “Finding the time”often relies upon having a goal that is meaningful and important to you; a goal that is valuable enough to make a priority.”

Focus on the now, not the end. Keep your attention on the task at hand. Side projects are meant to be low-pressure; you’re doing the work because you love the work, not to get something shipped.

Break your project into parts. I’m borrowing this idea from the world of work projects. Often, it’s easier to make headway on a project if it’s not too daunting to start with.

Combine your interests. If you’re struggling to stick with a project or hobby, consider scaling back your options to something you know. If you love writing, try learning a new writing medium rather than stretching yourself to something brand new like design or code.

Over to you: What are your creative hobbies and side projects?

Coming up with a project or hobby can provide a big psychological lift and a boost to work productivity. Find something that’s low-risk, low-pressure, and a labor of love, and you’ve found your project.

What side projects and hobbies do you pursue? What would you like to try but haven’t yet started? I’d love to hear your experiences and ideas in the comments.

I love this! I find I’m always looking for side projects/hobbies in my spare time–working on my blog (short-term) or working on my book (very long-term) at the moment. But I’ve been wanting to bring my high school acting days back to life so I’ve been toying with the idea of joining an improv or theatre group to get back into performing. I think I just need a little push to actually go for it and incorporate it as a hobby into my life and this post has definitely inspired me to revel in my hobbies/side projects even more :)

Hi Kelsie! Sounds like you’ve got some amazing ideas and projects in the queue!

Jacques Bornman

Thank you for a very helpful article. A friend and I both have a passion to write (for now as a hobby). In an effort to write more we decided to spend 60 minutes every day of July and post our efforts online. We thought it might be fun to invite others along, so we posted it on social media (side project). In no time we had more than 450 followers/participants at @writersbootcmp on Twitter. It’s an indication that many people want to give expression to their creativity.

Awesome post Kevan. I totally agree with the side project idea and with the idea of recovery. I have just read a book called Power of Full Engagement and the recovery part is the key of your full engagement potential. So true and so great you are sharing this as well.

Hi Petr! Sounds like an amazing book. Would you recommend it? I often forget about the recovery element of side projects. Sometimes, I confuse side projects with “work” – maybe it’s because the word “projects” has a work feel to me.

Yes, I would highly recommend it to anyone. There are tons of case studies and examples how to incorporate recovery into your work and personal life. There are stories from all different kinds of people – managers, entrepreneurs, regular employees or athletes. They come to the treatment sometimes depressed and they see positive impact of the recovery strategy almost immediately. It is also obvious they have to rethink their life vision and priorities.
That is true Kevan, sometimes even side projects can be work too :)

Does this count as a good side project/hobby? I’d say it counts as both because there is an end product and it’s also a long-term process. I’ve made 5 pillows and a rug as well as this framed one. It’s a fun change of pace from the day-to-day work routine.

Courtney Seiter

Wow, that’s really neat! I’d say it definitely counts, Annaliese!

nickyjameson

I turned my Fine Art Photography into more of a side business. This is my site http://nickyjameson.com. It is a great creative outlet for me as I have quite a stressful gig as a Project Manager. It wasn’t enough for me to simply post my photographs, I also sell my prints. I have a newsletter for my devoted fans and Collectors and I also go to art shows. Through it I don’t have the pressure of my creative pursuit putting a roof over my head, yet I do have defined goals. Because I look at it as a side biz I push myself to continually learn, and that includes marketing selling, blogging and social. I don’t have to. however it is important to me that I do. And I can test and try out new things as I go along. The great thing is my photography keeps me balanced and challenged and helps me in my day job. I think it’s because I am allowing my creativity expression. I should add that when I lost my Dad last year my photography focus was one of the things that helped me move through the loss.

gianacuna

Awesome gallery!

nickyjameson

Thank you very much!

ajoliveira

Great photos! I have been collecting and curating on the side project stories as a way to inspire other to embark on their own project. Would you care to share your story there? That’s at http://www.onthesideproject.tumblr.com

nickyjameson

That’s a cool blog you have. I’d love to share my story there. Let me know how to do that. :) Thanks for the compliment!

I wrote a post, “four reasons to try a side project” a while back, (http://bit.ly/1jrZXu2), and so the title of your article was like candy for me. This is great content, thanks for sharing Kevan. (You do an incredible job at tying in other relevant content/stories, I’m taking notes!)

I’m currently at a company I love and am working on things that matter immensely to me, (BD at UP Global), and I still find an incredible amount of value in side projects. (From mini-startups to blogging, etc.) It’s important for us to do things for ourselves because we want to, and the personal growth experienced from doing side project style things outside of the day job is astounding.

A side note, I received advice from Dave Parker, our VP Product, to look at other departments within our company as “side project” opportunities as well. If you’re at a company that has different teams, think about how you might be able to contribute during nights and evenings to not only help another team but to pick up another skill. (IE I’m in BD but love writing, so I work with our content team on assigned stories.) Opportunity is all over the place, we just have to be hungry to learn and willing to put ourselves out there.

Joe Griffiths

I am also fortunate enough to have a job at a company I love. I am a SE for a large MC. According to our PM we can take such opportunities but they are rare.I just find it strange that someone from SM would suggest to you put more hours in during what’s supposed to your downtime. Feels like a recipe for burnout even if it is doing work you wouldn’t normally do in your dayjob.

samik

In the venn diagram, it talks about “no time pressure” which is a contradiction to the fact that that you need to find the time by setting a meaningful goals to your side project to keep it going.

gianacuna

I think what he meant was that you don’t have to put a deadline on your projects so there’s no time pressure.

Your post falls into the category of “much needed medicine” for today! For me, the key is to constantly remind myself that these are just that – side projects and hobbies. I’m a TV junkie who is also intrigued by what makes successful leaders tick. So I combined the 2 into something – I’m not exactly sure what – but for now, it’s a blog where I will profile the good, bad and ugly of TV Bosses. http://tvbosses.com

This is totally spot-on. When I think about work on weekends or any free time it leads to more burn-out. That’s why I started a blog so I can get my head off things and clear my head of stress. By the way I blog here: http://www.gianacuna.com

Additional creation can bring the heart expressing, understand what you need.

ajoliveira

Great article. Not only side projects are great as people don’t consider them as often as they should. Usually success cases are never told showing how many has started this way. That’s why my own on the side project has been collecting and curating on the side project stories as a way to inspire other to embark on their own project. To show them there is a way other than to radically change your life or keep thinking ‘what if…’ instead of actually doing it. It is at http://www.onthesideproject.tumblr.com if anyone is interested in getting to know how it is, told by who’s doing it.

Great post Kevan. The tricky part for me was finding something that I loved to do, not something that I felt I had to do. I originally started working on a book but found the time frame I set myself was a bit over ambitious. As the project consumed my free time it quickly burned me out. I transitioned the idea for the book into a newsletter/blog and that works much better for me now. My site is: http://thesparkletter.com

Great post, Kevan! I’ve learned about myself that I’m never happy just ‘being’, and I always have to be working towards something new. For my latest side project, I’m venturing into e-commerce with http://lifehackposters.com. It’s something I’m super passionate about and enjoy working on. So even if it’s not a huge success, I’m enjoying the learning experience!

A very insightful read. Good work Kevan!
I’m fortunate to have the balance of a hobby and a side-project in the fact that I’m a wellness coach. My day-to-day job as a marketer is mainly desk-based and behind a computer, so it’s great to get out and about and speak to people directly.

I think the key thing is to find what you love doing, in my case helping people, and combine the variations so that you each works in your favour.

At work, I am a writer and for fun I perform and teach improv. I found a way to combine both passions in my blog, immakingallthisup.com/blog where I write about applying improv lessons to real world situations.

Awesome, deep, rich post Kevan! Tons of great advice that fits my audience perfectly (part time photographers). I’ve tweeted a link out to this for their great benefit.

My side hustle of photography started in 1999 when I started working for the local newspaper. I signed up as a web designer, got a job as a transcriber, and ended up a photojournalist. The more I was published, the more folks praised my work and asked if I did professional portraiture – so I started! It’s been a great social, creative, and financial blessing for my family.

In 2009, I started writing about part time photography at http://www.parttimephoto.com. There was a huge shortage of encouraging startup advice when I was growing as an artist and small business owner, and I wanted to share what I knew with my fellow PTPs.

I’ve entered some of my side projects in competitions, it does drive you harder to produce a good result but it also increases the stress. It also also leads to abandonment when the competition deadline passes.
You are spot on with your Venn Diagram, my favourites definately fit in there.

cubes

We are a group of amateur radio operators with a side hobby of our side hobby =)

I had no idea that there were so many benefits to doing hobbies. I’m always amazed at what psychologists know about the brain. Maybe I should visit one sometime soon. I would love to unlock more of my brain power while doing some of my hobbies. http://www.associatedpsychologyservices.com.au/team

Akshay Iyer

That’s a great post Kevan! Your Venn diagram taught a great deal of things. i strongly believe we must have a parallel universe of ours running. I am a maker by passion and take on various projects in embedded systems, robotics and rapidly prototype it.I take them from thought to finish(prototype) over the weekends. These weekend projects give a great stimulus n inject a lot of energy within you! Cheers!

andreimvisan

Awesome article. Loved it! I have always worked on side projects, I have a technical blog (http://programminglife.io) and others that are work in progress. I fully agree with everything you wrote, specially the 3 rules of side projects.

wow this is is really great! I really think that hobbies can sip through our work! as i have read in the Consumer Health Digest, having extra curricular activities can help our brain rewire to be more productive

Jake Coburn

Love this article! I am curious – do you see these side projects and hobbies as things within the workspace or relevant to a career (coding, blogging etc. seem like tangible, career skills? Or do you see them as something that can be completely separate (e.g. dance, gardening etc.). I am assuming that it can be both and there is value in each of them, but I am curious to hear if the research was more so suggesting the former.